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March 3, 1931. w. N. VANCE 1,795,060

LATTICE BRACE Filed July 29, 1929 Patented Mar. 3, 1931 {UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WALTER N. VANCE, OF NORTH AURORA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO LYON METAL PROD- UCTS, INCORPORATED, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS LATTICE BRACE Application filed July 29, 1929. Serial No. 381,756.

This invention relates to lattice braces for connecting a plurality of members to prevent them from swaying or racking.

In rack shelving, framework, and the like the upright members which support the shelves have a tendency to sway unless they are supported in some way, such as by crossbraces. In built-up'structures which may be of several tiers, it is preferable that certain parts of the structure can be readily knocked down. In this case it is not desirable that the braces be rigidly connected to their cooperating supporting members as the tiers would be bulky, difiicult to assemble, and could not be readily knocked down.

i The present invention provides a new and novel latticelbrace which can be readily fastened to the work and is provided with an adjustment so that the brace will be of proper length. V I

Another object is to provide an improved lattice brace, which is strong and durable, and whichcan be readily and economically manufactured.

Another object is to provide a lattice brace of simple construction, which is removable, and which is provided with new and novel adjusting means.

Numerous other objects and advantages will appear throughout the progress of the specification.

The invention comprises in general a plurality of'uprights having cross-bearers or supports, which are adapted to receive 5 shelves or the like. These bearers are adapted to drive down in slots-provided in the sides of the tubular uprights. Tension straps have their upper ends connected to the upper bearers by means of a bolt or the like, and their lower ends are provided with a plurality of spaced holes. A pair of brace supports provided with a plurality of holes are arranged on either side of the tension strap,

and a bolt passes through the holes in the tension strap and the brace supports to hold them in position. The holes in the tension strap are on different centers than the holes in the brace supports, so that they will overlap. The brace supports are preferably formed with hooks, each hook being provided witha slot adapted to receivean edge of the upright where the slot 'is provided to receive the bearers or supports. As the holes in the brace supports are on different centers than theholes in the straps, the uprights may be plumbed to position and a bolt inserted in the holes which have come into alignment. The accompanying drawing illustrates a selected embodiment of the invention, and the views thereinare as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail elevation of a rack or structure showing the improved lattice braces applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a detail vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. I i Fig. 3 is' a detail sectional view showing an improved brace arranged in position. Fig. 4 is a detail plan sectional view. Referring to the drawing, 11 designates a tension strap which is pivotally fastened to a cross-bearer or support l2 by any convenient means, such as a bolt 13. These bearers are connected to tubular uprights l4, preferably by grooves in the sides of the bearers driven into wedging engagement in slots provlded in the uprights. One end, preferably the lower end of the tension straps is provided with aplurality of holes 15, which may be of the same size but which may be spaced on constant centers. A pair of brace supports 16 are provided for preferably detachable connection with the uprights 14. In the illustrated form, these supports 16 are furnlshed with hooks and with notches 17, which engage the inner edge of the upright above the hole 18 provided therein to receive the ends of the bearers 12. 16 are provided with a which are substantially the same size as the holes 15 in the strap but which are spaced on diiferent centers than those in the straps. The brace supports 16 are fastened to the tension strap 11 by means of a bolt or other fastening member 21, which passes through the holes 15 and 19 which have come into alignment.

A single base support 16 may be substituted instead of the two supports shown, but the two supports providedouble shear and more rigidly support the structure.

These brace supports plurality of holes 19 By providing a relatively large number through'corresponding or alining holes in the i hooked supports a relatively fine adjustment may be made Without the use of turnbuckles. The holes in the straps'and the holes in the brace hooks are on difierent centers sothat 7 they overlap each other and permit various degrees of adjustment. When the structure needs adjustment the bolt is', taken out and of holes on close centers in the straps and brace hook and strap. 7

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

the structure plumbed to position. Thebolt i is then put in 'tlie'holes which are in alignment. "An adjustment of practically any degree may be time. 7

In practice two straps are riveted to a bearmadein a very short space of .gvvliich is laced at any'shelf position; These straps are crossed, a pair of hooks is hooked upon the top or a slot in the mating p g andengegee upon the strap'by sertiiig a drift pin in anyhole that matches;

then by insertinga second drift pin at the it manhole; and reno-v'mg the first Cine pin the brace may be shortened by the differenan between thehole spacings, By repeating this operation" selectively on the two diagofial's, the braces are tightened and the u I rightplunibed, W ere'upon bolts are inserted in the;holes next tothe final positions of the 1. meme eeineiisifig upright having i sl'ots' 'ad'apt d detaoliably to receive the. ends fights and batrgsaid Straps having hooked portions adaptedto' engagea arner u rights surrounding certain of said sl0ts,sa1d

straps inclu ing means for I ad ustin ;'the length of said straps to tighten the same: 1

bfb ai rgstraps interconnected with the iipy Q. A" structure comprising tubular uprights having vopenings therein, bearers haviiig 'hookedends engaging the openings in saiduprightga strap pivoted to one of said bearersxnear one of said uprights, ahook engaging the material surroundii'ig the opening of another of said uprights, the free ends of s'aid tre ail-(1.11601; being provided with holes adapted to be brought into alinement,

and a bolt passing through and holes which,"

are brought into alinement. V V

, 3. A lattice support comprising a'strap, a brace hook arranged on each side of the strap and pivotally connected thereto, and means for adjusting the brace hooks relative to said strap.

having openings therein, bearers eritending in said openings and supported by said uprights, a strap pivotally connected with abea-rer, a hook engaging the metal sur- 1L structure comprising tubular Jrnetal rounding thetopening in an upright, said f' strap and brace hook being provided With holes'on different 'center's', and means passing WALTERN; VANCE.

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